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Advancing Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance in Zanzibar
Zanzibar City- In a collaborative effort, the Ministry of Health Zanzibar, supported by the World Health Organization (WHO) and Health Improvement Zanzibar (HIPZ), has finalized a comprehensive baseline assessment of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) data collected in 2024 from the national sentinel surveillance network. This evaluation, encompassing both Unguja and Pemba islands, is instrumental in guiding targeted enhancements to routine AMR monitoring and reporting systems.
Key Insights from the 2024 AMR Data
The assessment primarily analyzed laboratory data from the Makunduchi Health Centre, focusing on critical pathogens frequently implicated in bloodstream and urinary tract infections. A significant concern identified is the elevated resistance to commonly prescribed third-generation cephalosporins, such as ceftriaxone, among bacterial isolates from urinary infections. This trend poses challenges for effective treatment of prevalent infections.
Conversely, the data reveal that certain oral antibiotics, notably nitrofurantoin, continue to demonstrate high efficacy against most Escherichia coli strains isolated from urine samples. These findings provide a robust evidence base for the Ministry to update clinical treatment protocols, promoting more judicious antibiotic use and combating resistance.
Enhancing Surveillance Systems for Better Public Health Outcomes
Beyond resistance patterns, the review scrutinized the operational aspects of the surveillance network. It underscored the necessity of harmonizing laboratory testing panels across sentinel sites to ensure data comparability and reliability, which are vital for informed national health planning.
Moreover, the evaluation highlighted gaps in the completeness of clinical data accompanying laboratory results. Strengthening the documentation of patient information is a priority to improve the quality of routine reporting and to enable more effective public health interventions based on surveillance findings.
Mr. Muhiddin Omar, AMR Focal Point at the Ministry of Health Zanzibar, emphasized, “This foundational analysis equips us with the insights needed to refine treatment guidelines and enhance surveillance consistency. We are committed to improving data integrity and standardizing laboratory procedures across sentinel sites to better safeguard public health.”
Strategic Actions to Elevate AMR Surveillance Quality
In response to identified challenges, stakeholders have agreed on immediate measures to fortify the surveillance framework. These include implementing routine verification of laboratory request forms at multiple stages-from patient clinics through specimen transport to laboratory receipt-to ensure data completeness and reliability.
Additionally, the Ministry plans to conduct refresher training sessions for healthcare workers focused on proper specimen collection techniques and meticulous recording of essential patient and facility information. These steps aim to enhance the accuracy and utility of surveillance data.
Simon Kunert, CEO of Health Improvement Project Zanzibar (HIPZ), remarked, “Our collaboration with the Ministry is grounded in a shared commitment to strengthening Zanzibar’s health system. By improving routine AMR surveillance, we aim to transform raw data into actionable insights for clinicians and policymakers.”
Ongoing Support and Future Directions
WHO remains actively engaged with the Ministry of Health Zanzibar and partners to implement these recommendations, advancing the objectives outlined in the Zanzibar Action Plan on AMR. Continuous efforts will focus on integrating surveillance improvements with broader health system strengthening initiatives to curb antimicrobial resistance effectively.
